Ellis Jenkins: Cardiff flanker hands Wales autumn injury concern
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Cardiff flanker Ellis Jenkins has played 11 internationals for Wales
Cardiff flanker Ellis Jenkins has handed Wales an autumn international injury concern after being taken off against Sharks with a rib problem.
Jenkins was recalled to Wayne Pivac's Wales squad this week, but lasted only 20 minutes of the United Rugby Championship match.
Openside flanker is a problem position for Wales due to fitness issues.
Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi, Josh Macleod, James Botham and James Davies have already been ruled out.
Navidi has had shoulder surgery after picking up an injury against Bulls last weekend and will not return until 2022.
Wales begin the autumn campaign against New Zealand on 30 October, with South Africa, Fiji and Australia to follow.
Jenkins last played for Wales in November 2018 against South Africa, where he suffered a serious knee injury that ruled him out of the game for two years.
"It was more of a precaution," said Cardiff director of rugby Dai Young.
"He's certainly nothing as serious as Josh [Navidi].
"It was a bang in his ribs. I think anyone who's had a bang in their ribs knows breathing becomes a bit difficult.
"We thought we'd bring him off knowing what's in front of him.
"We had a sub on the bench and he was in pain. We brought him off as a precaution more than anything.
"He's still a bit sore and I'm sure he'll be sore for five to seven days. We don't expect it to be anything more than that."
Young's son and Wasps flanker Thomas will join Cardiff next season and has been included in Pivac's squad despite the fact that he will be playing outside Wales for the rest of the regular campaign.
The 29-year-old has been given special dispensation to feature despite the Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU) 60-cap rule because of the flanker injury crisis.
The WRU introduced a policy in 2017 called the Senior Player Selection Policy (SPSP) that deemed if a player committed to playing for a club outside Wales and had fewer than 60 international caps, they would be ineligible for the national side.
Young will not be available for the All Blacks match because the game falls outside World Rugby's international window and English clubs will not release players for the fixture.
That leaves Jenkins and in-form Dragons openside Taine Basham as the number seven specialist options - as it stands - to face New Zealand.
Dragons hooker Elliot Dee has played 40 internationals for Wales
Dragons hooker Elliot Dee, meanwhile, was forced off in the first half of their 24-10 United Rugby Championship loss at Rodney Parade with a neck problem after a scrum.
The 27-year-old is one of three hookers in Pivac's squad alongside Scarlets duo Ken Owens and Ryan Elias.
"I have seen him up and around so I don't know any more than that," said Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan.
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"It was obviously a concern on the field but the fact he is up and around now is comforting for everybody.
"Let's hope it is not serious and everything carries on as normal."